Daily Sun Serum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen vs Tanning Lotion SPF 4: which is safer?
Daily Sun Serum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Derma E
Daily Sun Serum SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possible1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
PossibleFragrance allergens (if fragrance is present)
Hawaiian Tropic
Tanning Lotion SPF 4
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleChemical UV filter absorption and endocrine activity
ReportedFragrance allergens
PossibleMineral oil dermal occlusion
Where these two actually differ
- We flag 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers) and Fragrance allergens (if fragrance is present) on the Derma E and not on the Hawaiian Tropic.
- We flag Chemical UV filter absorption and endocrine activity, Fragrance allergens, Mineral oil dermal occlusion and Photostability and UVA protection gaps on the Hawaiian Tropic and not on the Derma E.
- The Derma E is Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base where the Hawaiian Tropic is Oil-in-water emulsion lotion (typical, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, mineral oil, fragrance, UV filters), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 25 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Derma E is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More sunscreen, see the full ranking